When gauging the progress of rookie quarterback Russell Wilson — a nonstop pastime of Seahawks fans — the conclusions branch in disparate directions.

In three home games, Wilson has been decisive, efficient and successful. The Seahawks have won all three against marquee opponents, and Wilson has been up to the task of facing off against Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.

In four road games, however, it's a different story. For the most part, Wilson has been unable to replicate his CenturyLink heroics, producing just one victory and statistics markedly inferior to those at home.

The trend has caught the eye of coach Pete Carroll, and the team hopes to rectify that Sunday at Detroit.

"He's played particularly well at home, not as well on the road," Carroll said. "The numbers are quite a bit different there. We just need to clean it up, we need to protect him better, we need to make sure we're making our plays in catching the football, and he's got to be sharper too. Just all around.

"He's obviously very comfortable at home, and we have played better at home than we did on the road. We just have to get through that."

Wilson has a sharp quarterback rating of 116.9 at home — best in the NFL, in fact, ahead of runner-up Peyton Manning's 109.2 home mark. Ah, but on the road, Wilson limps in with a QB rating of 55.7 — 31st among 33 ranked quarterbacks, ahead of only Andrew Luck and Brady Quinn (who has played just one road game).

Wilson has completed 60 percent of his passes at home, averaging 191.3 yards, with six touchdowns, no interceptions, and five sacks. On the road, he's completing 59 percent, averaging 164 yards with just two touchdowns, seven interceptions and nine sacks.

Even in his one road victory, against Carolina, Wilson's QB rating of 82.3 was lower than in any of the home games.

Asked Thursday about the disparity, Wilson pointed out how close the Seahawks were to winning all three games that turned into road defeats.

"I think the biggest difference is that we have to play a little bit better," he said. "We've lost some very, very close games on the road, and so we just need to finish those games. That's what it really comes down to. Just focusing on executing and finishing, especially in the second half, third quarters and fourth quarters. We just have to make the plays when we need them."

The Seahawks lost by four at Arizona, by six at St. Louis, and by seven at San Francisco. Wilson doesn't believe he reacts any differently to being in hostile territory.

"No, I don't feel any different," he said. "I've played in a lot of loud stadiums, and the noise doesn't affect me at all. I think the biggest thing is just that we have to execute and make plays."

The Seahawks have faced some tough pass defenses on the road. The 49ers rank first in the NFL, giving up just 173.4 yards per game through the air, while Arizona is fourth (191.3). Ominously, Detroit checks in at No. 6 (210.5).

"It's all about us; it's all on us," Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "We have opportunities to make plays, and we have to be able to make the plays when the opportunities present themselves."

That sentiment was echoed by wide receiver Golden Tate.

"Obviously, we've struggled on the road," he said. "We have one road win, so we know we can do it. I think we just have to keep grinding. If we eliminate penalties and those negative plays and drops, every game we're right there, with a chance to win.

"If we execute the way we know we can, and play football the way it's supposed to be played, I think we'll outplay most of our opponents, and outlast our opponents, which is our motto here. We want to play longer and harder than our opponent."